Decision on preterm babies draws positive response
Leave for women employed in Tanzania's public sector who deliver preterm babies will now start once the infants are out of specialised care. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- The government’s announcement that it is extending the legally accepted period in maternity leave for women in public service who deliver preterm babies has been welcomed by members of the public, who said it is a significant step towards strengthening maternal and child healthcare
Dar es Salaam. The government’s announcement that it is extending the legally accepted period in maternity leave for women in public service who deliver preterm babies has been welcomed by members of the public, who said it is a significant step towards strengthening maternal and child healthcare.
Speaking on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan during Labour Day celebrations in Arusha on Wednesday, Vice President Philip Mpango said that from now on leave for women employed in the public sector will start once babies delivered prematurely are out of special care.
He added that women with preterm babies should also be given time to breastfeed for six months to ensure that their children get the best possible care.
“The government has invested a great deal in mother and child health services, including establishing more care rooms for preterm babies, so I direct that maternity leave in such circumstances begin when the child leaves special care as decided by doctors.”
Dr Mpango revealed that employees who give birth to preterm babies will be allowed to leave their workplaces at 1.30pm for a six-month duration following the conclusion of their maternity leave to give them ample time to breastfeed.
As for workers in the private sector, the government will review the relevant law so that they too can benefit, he said.
The decision has been welcomed by maternal and gender stakeholders in the country, saying it has been long overdue.
Doris Mollel Foundation founder Ms Doris Mollel told The Citizen on Thursday that the move was a game changer and one that they have been expecting for a long time.
According to her, prematurity contributes up to 48 percent of deaths of children under five years so the move will not only help mothers but it will certainly save lives and reduce the emerging numbers of people with disabilities.
“As a sexual reproductive health coalition leader, I’m truly grateful to all the private and government partners who have invested their efforts in making this initiative a reality,” Ms Mollel said.
Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) executive director Lilian Liundi who said the decision will help the mothers to raise their children with special needs.
She added, however, that the government should increase the Health ministry’s budget to cater for the pressing need for modern equipment for taking care of preterm babies.
“Increasing the budget will reduce deaths of babies that die due to lack of equipment. As such, apart from the amendments, the government should increase funding on health issues.”
Tanzania Women’s Lawyers Association (Tawla) executive director Tike Mwambipile said the move should not only end on announcement stage. She proposed that such changes need to be brought to the Parliament so they can become part of the labour law.
“It is important that it will be included in the labour law and formalized so that even employers can adopt it in their offices,” she said.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a baby is premature if they are born before 37 weeks.
